ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. will initiate a voluntary nationwide recall to the user level for one lot of Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 100 mg/20 mL (5 mg/mL) 20 mL Multidose Vial, NDC 0409-2267-20, Lot 36-225-DD, Expiration 12/01/2015. The recall is due to embedded particulate within the glass vial and visible particles floating in the solution. There is the potential for product to come into contact with embedded particles and the particles may become dislodged into the solution. The embedded particulate was identified as stainless steel and the floating particulate as iron oxide.

Blocked administration of the drug to the patient, causing a delay in therapy is possible. However, due to the size of the particulates identified, it is more likely that particulates are able to pass through the catheter and may cause injection site reactions and local irritation in the blood vessels, tissues and organs. While extremely rare, particulate exposed to strong magnetic fields (e.g. MRI), could potentially dislodge and cause tissue damage.

BACKGROUND: Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection, USP is a clear colorless solution for intravenous administration and is indicated for control of blood pressure in severe hypertension. The recalled lot was distributed nationwide in the U.S. in February, 2014, to wholesalers/distributors, hospitals and clinics.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should immediately stop use and quarantine any affected product. In addition, customers should inform potential users of this product in their organizations of this notification. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-888-386-2076 (M-F, 8 a.m - 5 p.m. ET). For medical inquiries, please contact Hospira Medical Communications at 1-800-615-0187.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program: